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Government of the Federated States of Micronesia Department of Finance & Administration P.O Box PS158 Palikir, Pohnpei FM 96941 REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES) COUNTRY: FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA NAME OF PROJECT: Project For Strengthening Public Financial Management (P181237) GRANT NO.: IDA-E4120 ASSIGNMENT TITLE: FMIS Advisor – Individual Consultant REFERENCE NO.: FM-DOFA-530843-CS-INDV The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), with support from the World Bank, is implementing the Strengthening Public Financial Management II (PFM II) Project (P181237) and intends to apply part of the project proceeds toward the engagement of an Individual Consultant as FMIS Advisor to support the National Treasury and related public financial management reforms. The consulting services (“the Services”) involve providing specialized technical assistance and advisory support to expand and deepen the use of the core Financial Management Information System (FMIS)across Government Departments, Agencies, and (where applicable) State Governments. The Advisor will drive the roll-out of additional FMIS modules (including fixed assets, payroll, budget, and e-procurement), support business process re-engineering, data migration, training, change management, user acceptance testing, quality assurance, and overall implementation coordination under Component 2 (Expanded Core FMIS) of the project. The Consultant will work closely with the Department of Finance and Administration (DoFA), the Assistant Secretary Treasury, and the PFM II ICT Advisor to: Assess institutional and technical readiness for FMIS expansion and provide specific recommendations to address identified gaps. Coordinate FMIS rollout activities, including training, acceptance testing, data conversion/validation, site preparation, security/user authorizations, and network infrastructure support. Support alignment of budget processes, Chart of Accounts, and related requirements with FMIS configuration, reporting capabilities, and multi-year budgeting reforms. Contribute to PFM policy/procedure development, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation of FMIS adoption, and improvements in financial management controls and reporting. Develop and implement plans for sustainability, including gradual handover of FMIS support to National and State Government staff, risk management, and appropriate governance structures. Provide quality assurance across implementation phases and assist in reviewing technical documentation, specifications, and procurement-related inputs for FMIS activities. The Advisor will also contribute to broader PFM reforms as needed, including coordination with the Budget Division to ensure FMIS functionality supports effective budget formulation, execution monitoring, forecasting, classification, documentation, and the phased introduction of program budgeting—in line with the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and Financing Agreement. The Consultant will report to the Assistant Secretary for Treasury and support multi-stakeholder coordination to achieve successful FMIS institutionalization, reduced dependency on external support, and sustainable improvements in public financial management practices. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for this assignment can be found on the Department of Finance and Administration website at https://dofa.gov.fm, attached to this REOI, or may be obtained at the addresses given below. The Department of Finance and Administration now invite eligible individual consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants must submit: A Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience, including: Hands-on functional experience with FreeBalance FMIS in at least one project (mandatory). Experience in FMIS/IFMIS implementation, rollout, testing, quality assurance, and business process re-engineering in the public sector, preferably in developing countries or small island states. Public financial management reform experience at a senior level, including treasury processes, budget module integration, capacity building, change management, and sustainability planning. Experience in government budgeting, fiscal policy/PFM reform, budget formulation/execution monitoring/reporting, forecasting, medium-term budgeting, development of budget guidelines/SOPs, legislative/policy reviews, or FMIS budget module support (advantageous); Cross-cultural coordination and stakeholder management skills. Names and contact information for two professional references. The criteria for selecting the Consultant are: Minimum Requirements (aligned with TOR mandatory criteria) Relevant postgraduate qualification (master’s degree or equivalent) in public finance, business, economics, public administration, accounting, or a related field from a recognized university. Functional hands-on experience with FreeBalance for at least one project. At least 7 years of demonstrated experience in public financial management, including senior-level involvement in PFM reform processes with government or large international organizations. Proven track record in managing large-scale ERP/IFMIS/FMIS implementation activities (build, testing, rollout, quality assurance) in developing countries. Desired Qualifications Experience with FMIS budget modules, Chart of Accounts alignment, and integration with budgeting processes. Experience in Pacific Island or small-state contexts. Strong understanding of international standards such as GFS/COFOG and PEFA indicators. Experience supporting program budgeting reforms, medium-term expenditure frameworks, or multi-year budgeting. Experience working on World Bank or other development partner–funded projects. Fluency in English; strong analytical, oral/written communication, report-writing, and presentation skills. The attention of interested consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Seventh Edition, September 2025), which outline the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Further information may be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 17:00. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by email only to the following addresses below no later than 5:00PM (PNI time), January 30th, 2026. Peni Tikoisireli – peni.tikoisireli@dofa.gov.fm Arrio Abello – arrio.abello@dofa.gov.fm Title: FMIS Advisor (Individual Consultant) Location: Palikir, National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia - Department of Finance and Administration (DoFA) Duration: Initial contract duration of 2 years (full time) with the potential to extend based on available finance and satisfactory performance Tentative Start Date: As soon as possible A. BACKGROUND The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), with support from the World Bank, are working to improve fiscal management practices and increase fiscal transparency at the National Government level through the Strengthening Public Financial Management II Project (P181237). The project builds upon key public financial management (PFM) achieved under the previous PFM I project and intends to institutionalize those achievements by: Expanding the core financial management information system (FMIS) to line departments and agencies Improve systems and process in budget formulation and execution, procurement, treasury functions, internal controls, and reporting Strengthening technical capacities of the Department of Finance & Administration (DoFA) Review existing PFM legislation to identify changes to support transition to a digital PFM environment The project components are: (i) improved fiscal management practices and controls, (ii) expanded core FMIS, (iii) enhanced human resource capacity, communications and change management, and (iv) project management. B. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ROLE Purpose of the assignment The Consultant primarily support activities under Component 2- Expanded Core Financial Management Information Systems. This component aims at supporting increasing efficiency and automation of public finance processes through the expanded use of the Financial Management Information System (FMIS) implemented under PFM I to additional Government Departments, Agencies and State Governments (where applicable). Objective of the assignment The objective of this role is to provide technical support and advisory services to the implementation of public financial management reforms with specific focus on the use of FMIS. With the support of the National Treasury team, the Consultant will drive the further adoption and expansion Financial Management Information System (FMIS) capabilities across core Treasury processes and support the decentralization of the system. C. SCOPE OF SERVICES The scope of responsibility will cover: Roll-out and deepen the use of FMIS, including roll out of modules such as fixed assets, payroll, budget and e-procurement. Support for the PFM reforms in general, development and implementation of PFM policies and procedures, capacity building for staff, quality control for policy and general pronouncements and presentations/reports, monitoring and evaluation and other related matters The FMIS Advisor’s key activities relating above responsibilities will include the following: Provide technical assistance to the Secretary Department of Finance and Administration (DoFA)and the Assistant Secretary Treasury Comptroller to coordinate and guide the implementation of public financial management reforms and in resolving issues pertaining to the FMIS roll-out. This coordination will involve various streams of activities necessary to make the roll out of the FMIS successful including but not limited to, Training, Acceptance Testing, data migration, Change Management, User authorizations/ security in FMIS and business process reengineering. Work with the PFMII ICT Advisor to ensure that the local area network and the wide area network support the efficient and effective use of the FMIS system. In line with the FMIS rollout strategy, assess readiness for expansion of the FMIS system to Departments and Agencies in terms of institutional structures, staff availability, capacity and skills, financial management processes and systems (manual or otherwise) and controls, site infrastructure and power, implementation risks and make very specific recommendations to address gaps. Business Process Re-engineering: provide technical support to review PFM processes and Government-on-Line business requirements to determine any necessary validation or re-engineering. Implementation: prepare and update the Project Plan, the training content/materials and plan, and the change management plan to ensure that the weaknesses and recommendations in the original or modified form, are carried out and implemented. Quality Assurance and OAT (Operational Acceptance Testing): Carry out quality review and assurance to the FMIS Implementation phases including but not limited to the following: Data collection, validation and conversion Equipment and solution deployment Site and infrastructure preparation Testing scripts and User Acceptance testing Training (including training materials) and change management Handling of implementation issues Participation in implementation teams/working groups/ steering committee meetings. Coordinate with Budget Department to ensure an FMIS system supports the requirements of budgeting and payroll. Provide the necessary support and guidance to the Assistant Secretary Treasury in order to ensure that all system documentation expected from the FMIS Supplier is delivered or developed including establishing criteria to be applied to review and evaluate all such documents. Monitoring: the Advisor will draw-up a monitoring framework and periodically monitor and assess the state of implementation particularly focusing on qualitative improvements; the Advisor will review improvements in institutional capacity and training, overall adaptation and use of the FMIS, improvements in financial management processes and systems controls and reporting, and improvements in all aspects of the PFM necessary to meet the overall objectives. Resulting from this process, the Advisor will: Determine areas that may lag or new areas that require attention and make recommendations for improvements Raise issues (technical or otherwise) that may impede progress The Advisor will develop a plan by which the Government-on-Line will gradually take over full support of its PFM Systems to reduce the Government-on-line dependency on external consultants, increase ownership and allow National and State Treasury Staff to manage with the limited resources. Suitable officers / employees should be identified and trained to make this happen. This plan shall be discussed with the Secretary DoFA and approved for implementation. In drawing up this plan, the Advisor will among others: Assess the state of readiness of National and State Government to take over in terms of staff capacity. Determine actions and time required to cover the gaps for example in terms of training, staff recruitment, etc. Determine work plans and milestones to implement these actions. The work plan shall include monitoring meetings with the Steering Committee. The Advisor will help to monitor the implementation of the agreed plan. Advise on suitable Governance structures required for the management of all the implementation phases of the FMIS. Throughout the duration of the Project, assisting the Assistant Secretary Treasury to identify risks to the FMIS rollout activities and formulate strategies to mitigate such risks. Where necessary, review for quality and alignment, technical specifications or Terms of reference to be used in the procurement of PFM related resources. Provide technical inputs to the IFMIS implementation contracts, procurements and financial management teams Key Deliverables IFMIS rollout to Departments, Agencies, National and State Governments. Functional interfaces with other PFM systems. Implementation of the fixed assets, fixed assets, payroll, budget and e-procurement Periodic monitoring reports and their implementation Appropriate PFM training, skills/knowledge transfer and capacity development for financial management staff. Project Risk Management Plan approved by the Steering Committee. Sustainability plans - approved by the Steering Committee. D. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE The prospective consultant shall be a highly experienced practitioner with a proven record in FMIS Implementation in the public sector internationally. The position will require cross-cultural interpersonal skills to coordinate and negotiate resources across multiple stakeholders to achieve positive project outcomes. Mandatory Relevant post graduate qualification in public finance, business, economics or related field from a recognized university. Functional hands-on experience of FreeBalance for at least one project. At least 7 years’ experience in public financial management, including experience with PFM reform processes at a senior level either with Government or large international organizations. Experience in post conflict environments is desirable. Desirable Qualifications and Experience: Strong analytical, oral and written communication skills, report writing, and the ability to write for and present to a variety of stakeholder hierarchies. A proven track record of successful management of application build, testing, implementation and quality assurance activities of large-scale ERP/IFMIS systems in developing countries is required is required. Fluency in English. Experience working in the Pacific. F. DURATION, LOCATION and CONDITIONS of ASSIGNMENT The Consultant will report of the Assistant Secretary for Treasury. This is a full-time position for an initial period of Twenty (24) Months, based in Palikir, Pohnpei, and may be extended based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding. Domestic travel may be required from time to time, including overnight travel away from the home office. The Department of Finance and Administration will provide office space, general office supplies, and office equipment. ANNEX B: CONSULTANT’S REPORTING OBLIGATIONS The advisor shall submit the reports summarized below, for the respective period. Monthly Progress Reports: The FMIS Advisor shall prepare monthly concise reports with the relevant information on progress, and emerging issues that need to be clarified with the client. Annual Progress Report: The FMIS Advisor shall prepare annual concise reports with the relevant information on progress, highlighting achievements, emerging issues that need to be clarified with the client and recommendations to ensure a successful FMIS implementation. Final Report: Before the end of the assignment, the FMIS Advisor shall submit a final report detailing all the activities undertaken. The report will outline achievements and issues and lessons learnt.